Springfield, Ohio - Wittenberg University welcomed its first Wittenberg Fellow of 2001-02 Sept. 6 when Lee H. Endress, director of the College of Security Studies at the Asia-Pacific Center, spoke to students and faculty in Ness Auditorium.

Endress, a Wittenberg alumnus, traveled from Honolulu, Hawaii to be honored as a Wittenberg Fellow, a special university honor recognizing outstanding career achievement. To be eligible to be named a Fellow, recipients must agree to return to campus to share their expertise and serve as a career roll model for students.

Thursday's presentation was part of a joint East Asian Studies/Economics colloquium titled "Comprehensive Security in the Asia-Pacific Region: Prospects for Cooperation in the 21st Century."

Speaking before a crowd of close to 100 in Ness Family Auditorium, Endress, a member of the Class of 1966, discussed some of the challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region, including its tremendous diversity, historical animosities, growing sense of uncertainty, focus on economic development and the tension between the forces of globalization and nationalism.

President Baird Tipson joined Eugene Swanger, professor emeritus of religion, Bin Yu, associate professor of political science, and Dave Wishart, professor of economics and department chair, in presenting Endress with a Wittenberg Medal in recognition of his selection as a Wittenberg Fellow during the event.

Endress was the first of two Wittenberg Fellows to be honored this year. Michael Cook '74, a Chicago-based partner with the law firm Ross & Hardies, president of the board of directors for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois and a member of the board of directors for The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, will be recognized at a later date.